The sequence a1, a2, a3, ..., an, ... is such that i*a_i=j*aj for any

Series A(n) is such that i*A(i) = j*A(j) for any pair of positive integers (i, j). If A(1) is a positive integer, which of the following is possible?

I. 2*A(100) = A(99) + A(98)
II. A(1) is the only integer in the series
III. The series does not contain negative numbers

A) I only
B) II only
C) I & III only
D) II & III only
E) I, II & III

Will appreciate if anyone explains this question with an easy method.

Thanks & Regards
Vinni

A sequence of numbers \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ... have the following properties: \(i*a_i=j*a_j\) and \(a_1=positive \ integer\), so \(1*a_1=2*a_2=3*a_3=4*a_4=5*a_5=...=positive \ integer\).

Bunuel,

I didnt get this part. I seem to misunderstood the q.stem

could u please clarify it?

Bunuel
could you please go thru this part one more time?
Cant get it

Bunuel,
I agree with (i) and (iii). However, I am not sure about (ii).

Why did you substitute a1 =1 ? If A(1) is the only integer => n=1; But how do we know that a1 = 1? a1 could be anything....a1=2 also holds good because there is only one number. Correct? Essentially, there is no A(2), A(3) etc.

Thoughts?

New edition of this question with a solution:

The sequence \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ..., \(a_n\), ... is such that \(i*a_i=j*a_j\) for any pair of positive integers \((i, j)\). If \(a_1\) is a positive integer, which of the following could be true?

I. \(2*a_{100}=a_{99}+a_{98}\)
II. \(a_1\) is the only integer in the sequence
III. The sequence does not contain negative numbers

A. I only
B. II only
C. I and III only
D. II and III only
E. I, II and III

Given that the sequence of numbers \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ... have the following properties: \(i*a_i=j*a_j\) and \(a_1=positive \ integer\), so \(1*a_1=2*a_2=3*a_3=4*a_4=5*a_5=...=positive \ integer\).

We should determine whether the options given below can occur (notice that the question is which of the following COULD be true, not MUS be true).

I. \(2a_{100}=a_{99}+a_{98}\) --> since \(100a_{100}=99a_{99}=98a_{98}\), then \(2a_{100}=\frac{100}{99}a_{100}+\frac{100}{98}a_{100}\) --> reduce by \(a_{100}\) --> \(2=\frac{100}{99}+\frac{100}{98}\) which is not true. Hence this option could be true.

II. \(a_1\) is the only integer in the sequence. If \(a_1=1\), then all other terms will be non-integers --> \(a_1=1=2a_2=3a_3=...\) --> \(a_2=\frac{1}{2}\), \(a_3=\frac{1}{3}\), \(a_4=\frac{1}{4}\), and so on. Hence this option could be true.

III. The sequence does not contain negative numbers --> since given that \(a_1=positive \ integer=n*a_n\), then \(a_n=\frac{positive \ integer}{n}=positive \ number\), hence this option is always true.

Answer: D.

Hope it's clear.

can you please explain me option A. i am totally confused with it

A set of numbers \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), ... have the following properties: \(i*a_i=j*a_j\) and \(a_1=positive \ integer\), so \(1*a_1=2*a_2=3*a_3=4*a_4=5*a_5=...=positive \ integer\).

We should determine whether the options given below can occur (note that the question is which can be true, not must be true).

I. \(2a_{100}=a_{99}+a_{98}\) --> as \(100a_{100}=99a_{99}=98a_{98}\), then \(2a_{100}=\frac{100}{99}a_{100}+\frac{100}{98}a_{100}\) --> reduce by \(a_{100}\) --> \(2=\frac{100}{99}+\frac{100}{98}\) which is not true. Hence this option cannot be true.

Hi
I did not follow the move in bold. Can someone pls. explain a little more?

II. \(a_1\) is the only integer in the series. If \(a_1=1\), then all other terms will be non-integers --> \(a_1=1=2a_2=3a_3=...\) --> \(a_2=\frac{1}{2}\), \(a_3=\frac{1}{3}\), \(a_4=\frac{1}{4}\), and so on. Hence this option can be true.

I don't understand this part.
How could I know that A(1) = 1
The question stem mentioned only that "A(1) is a positive integer"

If A(1) = 2, then ---> 1*A(1) = 2*A(2) ---> A(2) = 1
Then II cannot be true.

Please tell me if I get something wrong.

Thanks

Series A(n) is such that i*A(i) = j*A(j) for any pair of positive integers (i, j). If A(1) is a positive integer, which of the following is possible?

I. 2*A(100) = A(99) + A(98)
II. A(1) is the only integer in the series
III. The series does not contain negative numbers

A) I only
B) II only
C) I & III only
D) II & III only
E) I, II & III

Will appreciate if anyone explains this question with an easy method.

Thanks & Regards
Vinni